As the summer months draw to an end, new data has shown where the hotspots for one of the UK's most invasive species of plants in Suffolk are. 

Latest data has revealed the places in Suffolk that are suffering the most from Japanese knotweed.

Throughout spring, Japanese knotweed emerges from the ground as purple or red asparagus-like shoots, before growing into lush green shrubs with heart or shovel-shaped leaves.

It can grow up to 10cm a day between May and July and by mid-summer reach heights of around three metres.

Lowestoft, Beccles, Ipswich, Woodbridge and Stowmarket have all been identified as hotspots, according to Environet.

Environet has created a live online tracker to help people locate and record the pest plant.

Japanese knotweed can grow up to three metres in height by mid-summer, pushing up through concrete, driveways, drains and can pose a risk to property owners by knocking as much as a tenth off the value of homes.

The live online tracker shows that there are 44 infestations of Japanese knotweed within a 4km radius of Lowestoft, 41 within a 4km radius of Beccles, 33 within a 4km radius of Ipswich, 24 within a 4km radius of Woodbridge and 23 within a 4km radius of Stowmarket. 

Earlier this year Ipswich topped the rankings for the most infestations in the county, with 49 recorded within a 4km radius in the north of the town.

Nic Seal, founder of Environet, said: “Vigilance is the best way to protect your property from the risks posed by Japanese knotweed.

"Make sure you know what knotweed looks like and how it differs from other common garden weeds like ivy and bindweed, so you can keep an eye out for it in your garden and neighbourhood.

"Knotweed is easily identifiable during summer, but as we head through the autumn and into winter, the above-ground growth dies back and it becomes much harder to spot. It’s also easier to conceal, so anyone viewing a property to buy should be extra careful."